Birkirkara held by Sliema

Sliema immediately had the first chance on goal just after two minutes of play when Stanley Ohawuchi tried his luck on goal, but Haber had no problem keeping the ball out of the net.

Sliema continued to press and on the 27^th minute, goalkeeper Justin Haber had to rush outside of the penalty area to intercept the ball before Sliema’s Pape Gueye could get to it.

On the 32^nd minute, Birkirkara’s Shola Shodiya had his shot blocked by goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Birkirkara managed to score the first goal of the match on the 70^th minute. Off a counter-attack, Shola Shodiya’s cross towards Demba Toure was enough as the latter headed the ball in goal past goalkeeper Henry Bonello with ease.

Not all was lost for Sliema as on the 81^st minute, off a freekick by Paltemio Barbetti, the clearance was short and Matias Muciardi easily beat Haber with his powerful shot.

Matias Muchardi was voted BOV Player of the Match.

BIRKIRKARA Justin Haber, Alejandro Mendoza, Zach Muscat, Joseph Zerafa, Matheus Bissi Da Silva, Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat (90’ Ryan Camenzuli), Haruna Shola Shodiya (80’ Terrence Vella, Ryan Scicluna (88’ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Demba Toure.

Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Frank Temile, Kurt Zammit, Ini Akpan.

Coach: Paul Zammit

SLIEMA WANDERERS Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, Jacob Borg, Paltemio Barbetti, John Mintoff (78’ Trevor Cilia), Mark Scerri, Stanley Ohawuchi, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Pape Gueye (67’ Abubaker Bello-Osagie), Matias Muchardi, Stefano Biancardi.

Subs not used: Axl Xuereb, Glenn Zammit, Dylan Borg, Dale Micallef, Beppe Muscat.

Coach: Alfonso Greco

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Roberto Vella

Additional Assistant Referees: Alan Mario Sant, Kevin Azzopardi

Fourth Official: Thomas Debono

Yellow Cards: P. Gueye, M. Scerri, M. Bissi Da Silva, J. Zerafa, A. Mendoza, G. Sciberras

Scorers: 70’ Demba Toure (B), 81’ Matias Muchardi (S)